Snippets

Short Story-Hide and Seek

"Eden, come on." I whisper.

The 4 year old follows me on her tip toes, trying to be as discreet as possible. Her ugg boots leave muddy stains on the shiny tiles as she enters the house.

"Uh oh . . . Isla, my boots are muddy." Eden quietly exclaims as she notices the stained floor.

"It's ok, we can quickly clean it up now." I take the mop from beside me and clean up the mess while Eden takes off her shoes.

"Let's go now." I say in a hushed voice.

We cautiously tip toe through the laundry and into the kitchen. When I deem the room empty, I gesture to Eden to stay where she is, before running across to the cupboard under the stairs. My hands make frantic motions as I urge Eden to follow me.

Together we climb the stairs on our hands and knees in order to stay low. Halfway up the stairs, my foot slips, successfully giving me a mini heart attack.

Eden starts giggling uncontrollably at my mishap while I take off my socks and leave them on the stairs.

At the top of the staircase I contemplate where to hide. "Where do you think we should hide?" I whisper to the little girl.

"I don't know. Levi's room." She answers in the same tone.

"I'm not too sure about that."

"Yes, let's go hide in Levi's room."

"What if he looks in there first?"

"He won't; he won't look there first."

It's then that I hear the loud claps, signaling that the search for Eden and I had begun.

Without any warning, Eden attempts to drag me towards the room I can only assume is Levi's. 

We quietly plop ourselves in different hiding spots around the room; Eden underneath the bed and myself in the only other place available: the closet.

I try to close the doors as quickly and quietly as possible, but my fingers seem to get stuck each time I try. In a desperate rush, I leave the doors slightly ajar.

The sound of approaching and retreating footsteps are just as nerve wracking as the sound of doors opening and closing. They become louder and louder, indicating that Levi is close by.

Perspiration begins to collect in my clenched fists and the sound of my heart beating doesn't go unnoticed.

After what seems like a lifetime, I hear the door to Levi's room open and my breath discreetly hitches in my throat.

The sheets being ruffled, curtains being thrown to the side and shoes tapping on the floorboards are the only sounds I hear for the next 2 minutes.

The more I pay attention, the more I notice very faint giggling. I know for a fact she won't be able to hold it in any longer.

As predicted, Eden's laughter fills the room. The sound of things being moved halts at that very second. The footsteps return, this time more cautious and slow. My ears pick up the sound of sheets being moved once again, before Eden squeals in delight at what I imagine to be Levi spotting her.

I know he's going to come after me next, so I prepare myself for the inevitable.

In the next 47 seconds, the closet doors burst open to reveal platinum blonde hair and dark brown eyes paired with a boyish grin.

My waist is soon found on top of Levi's shoulder as his hands attack my body in the worst form of assult: tickling. His fingers endlessly torture my ribs in an odd combination of pain and happiness.

My thrashing limbs and squeals of laughter aren't enough to make the lunatic cease fire.

Deciding that I'd had enough of his torture, I slide myself out of his grip and land in front of him again. Along the way my right hand is caught in Levi's as our finger interlace; and we're  subconsciously caught in an impromptu staring contest.

A loud growl from my stomach rudely interrupts our 'moment' if even.

"Uhhh . . . sorry . . . about that." I mumble as my cheeks get tinted a slight pink shade.

Levi simply grins wider as Eden yells out, "Lunch time!" before running out the room and down the stairs.

The 5 year old is soon to return when she realizes that we haven't followed her.

"Can we have pizza?", a hopeful looking Eden asks.

Levi looks at me as if questioning if I'm alright with the plan.

I nod, before Levi signs to his sister that we can indeed have pizza for lunch.

I turn towards Eden just in time to see her race back the way she came.

Awkwardly clearing my throat, my thumb jerks in the direction of the door.

"We should probably go order the food before Eden accidentally phones the fire brigade instead if Pizza Hut."